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A Cuban who had been missing for almost seven months was found dead at the Psychiatric Hospital of Havana, known as Mazorra, in conditions of extreme malnutrition and showing signs of abuse, according to reports from family members and neighbors.
The man, a resident of the 10 de Octubre municipality and diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, had been picked up from the street by a state vehicle intended for transporting the homeless, despite neighbors informing the driver that he had family, his son reported on Facebook.
Since then, her relatives began an intensive search that included visits to police stations and mental health centers, including Mazorra itself, where they initially denied that she was admitted.
"After six or seven months, they found us to say that he had passed away. He was skin and bones, beaten; they killed him," his son reported on social media.
He assured that the deceased, although he spent a lot of time on the streets, had housing, food, and basic care at home; and that there were no medications in the country to treat his condition.
They emphasize that the lack of medications and resources in the country worsened her mental health condition, but they insist she was a harmless person and well-liked in the neighborhood.
“They hid him, they denied him, and when he finally appeared, it was too late to do anything for him. This demonstrates the mistreatment that patients suffer in those places. There is no humanity here,” his son reported.
A few months ago, a similar case outraged thousands of Cubans after the family of Yoan Cruz Traba, a 50-year-old man with psychiatric disorders who was reported missing by his family on June 5, reported that he passed away in a hospital in Havana without the authorities notifying them of the incident.
Yoel Cruz publicly reported on Facebook that his brother disappeared on June 2, and he filed an official report on June 5 at the Aguilera police station in Santos Suárez, after noticing that Yoan—who was not aggressive and was not receiving medical treatment—had left the house and did not return.
He reported that a person from the hospital told him, under the condition of anonymity, that his brother was admitted to Julio Trigo Hospital on June 18, supposedly transferred from the Day Care Center for the Homeless, in a state of severe malnutrition, with gastroenteritis and a heart complication.
No one, neither the hospital nor the police, informed the family at that time or in the following days while he remained hospitalized.
On July 4th, while Yoel was donating blood, the police called him to ask if he knew anything about his brother. On that same day, which was also his 50th birthday, Yoan passed away in the hospital.
Frequently Asked Questions about Reports of Negligence in Psychiatric Hospitals in Cuba
What happened to the missing Cuban found dead in Mazorra?
The missing Cuban was found dead in the Psychiatric Hospital of Havana, known as Mazorra, in a state of extreme malnutrition and with signs of abuse. His family reported that he was picked up from the street by state transportation, and despite an intensive search, the hospital initially denied his admission. This highlights the mistreatment and lack of humanity in Cuban psychiatric institutions.
What are the most common complaints about psychiatric hospitals in Cuba?
The most common complaints include negligence, abuse, malnutrition, and inhumane conditions in Cuban psychiatric hospitals. Recent cases have revealed a lack of hygiene, food, and adequate medical care, as well as incidents of violence against patients. These situations reflect a pattern of systematic institutional neglect.
What is the Cuban government's stance on these allegations of negligence?
The Cuban government often denies accusations of negligence and mistreatment in its health institutions. Authorities frequently issue statements dismissing these reports as false or exaggerated, attributing the deficiencies to economic issues stemming from the embargo. However, the lack of decisive responses and the recurrence of these incidents breed distrust among the population.
What impact do these conditions have on psychiatric patients in Cuba?
The deplorable conditions in Cuban psychiatric hospitals have a devastating impact on patients. The lack of adequate medical care, insufficient nutrition, and mistreatment significantly deteriorate the mental and physical health of the inmates, often leading them to critical situations or even to death. The lack of coordination and absence of protocols further exacerbate their vulnerability.
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